Acute responses of platelet count and ADP-induced platelet aggregation to different high intensity interval exercise modes.

Abstract

Platelet activation is associated with abdominal obesity and exercise training is an important modulator of body weight. We investigated the effects of two high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) protocols of different intensity and duration on platelet indices and platelet aggregation in overweight men. Ten overweight men performed 6 intervals of 30s exercise at 110% of peak power output (PPO) interspersed by 3 : 30 min active recovery (1/7 protocol) at 40% of PPO and 6 intervals of 2 min exercise at 85% of PPO interspersed by 2 min active recovery (1/1 protocol) at 30% of PPO in two separate sessions. Platelet indices and platelet aggregation were measured before and immediately after both HIIEs. Platelet indices increased significantly following HIIE (P < 0.05), though, significant differences between the two protocols were only detected for platelet count, which was markedly increased following 1/1 protocol. Platelet aggregation increased significantly (P < 0.05) in response to the two HIIE protocols, with no significant difference being observed between the two protocols (P > 0.05). It is concluded that HIIE leads to transient increases in markers of thrombus formation and that work to rest ratio is an important factor when investigating the changes in thrombocytosis following HIIE.